Obama to attend memorial service for shooting victims

President Barack Obama said that the United States is still in shock about the shooting rampage in Arizona that has left a Democratic congresswoman fighting for her life, but he commended the courage of the people who responded on site, saying their actions reflect the “best of America”.

The president told reporters that Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords and others injured on Saturday are still fighting to recover.

He said he anticipated some type of national memorial that would allow the country to express its sense of loss.

The president said he also wanted to make sure that “out of this tragedy, we can come together as a stronger nation”.

Speaking at the White House alongside French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Mr Obama’s comments on the shooting’s aftermath overshadowed his business with the visiting leader – just as essentially all of the official business in a rattled Washington has been pushed aside by grief about the events and questions about how to respond.

“In the coming days we’re going to have a lot of time to reflect,” the president said. “Right now the main thing we’re doing is to offer our thoughts and prayers to those who’ve been impacted, making sure we’re joining together and pulling together as a country.”

By the end of the long day, Mr Obama had secured plans to travel tomorrow to Tucson, Arizona, to speak at a memorial service for the victims of the shooting rampage.

White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said first lady Michelle Obama would also attend the service at the University of Arizona.

The president has already been in touch with family members of those shot and killed and is contact with Arizona officials and leaders of Congress.

Mr Obama said he is reaching out to family members in his role not just as president, but also as a father.

Mr Sarkozy said the French people were deeply moved and saddened by the tragedy.

The White House said Mr Obama had called Gifford’s husband, Mark Kelly, and the family of Christina Taylor Green, a nine-year-old girl killed in Saturday’s shooting.

Mr Obama made a point to commend the everyday citizens who, in the midst of a horrific scene, intervened to wrestle down the gunman and help those around them.

“Part of what I think that speaks to,” Mr Obama said, “is the best of America.”

Earlier yesterday, a sombre Mr Obama led a moment of silence for a nation stunned by the attempted assassination against the congresswoman.